The Land of the Free: American Political Roleplay (IC II)

[Titanne]

"Good afternoon Howard. This is Senator Guerrera? I was wondering if I could pick your mind on my endorsement in the presidential primary."

Howard paused for a moment, "who has your favor for now?"

"I'd say Governor Prendergast."

[Sarenium]

Howard paused for a moment, "who has your favor for now?"

"I'd say Governor Prendergast."

"What's he offered you?" Frankston asked, putting his gun down and taking a seat.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

FROM: [Francine Sullivan]
TO: [Caroline Simone]

Carrie,

This Mark Allen/Richardson fiasco could upset the gun bill’s passage in the Senate, especially if Sen. Slater plays up this protest thing here in D.C. I‘m still meeting with Warwick and will try to force his hand but time is on their side, especially as our bargaining chip is the Iran sanctions. I’ll keep you updated but if there is anything you can do help keep the gun bill’s optics strong, please do so. And I’m also hearing through the grapevine of some uneasy progressive congresspeople. I suggest you do what you can to minimize looking weak on Iran, especially in regards to certain online statements made by some friends of yours. I will do the same and do not intend to bring up that Westra’s war powers thing up to a vote.

Best,
—
Francine Sullivan
U.S. Senator from Alaska (D-AK)

FROM: [Representative Caroline Simone]
TO: [Senator Francine Sullivan]

Hey Frankie,

I'll see if I can get message discipline on the gun bill more under control. Frankly, I think you can spin the Allen thing if you can prove to (not-Collins) or to Guerrera that Mainers or Coloradans won't stand for their party's defense of men like Allen. It was a grenade launcher, the man's got no leg to stand on legally. There's no off-ramp here. But I'll keep them as quiet as I can.

I'm aware there's a little dissent ongoing about Iran. I'm playing whack-a-mole on that one. Negotiated Holt down from Nay to Present but hopefully I can get him back in the Aye column before the vote. How soon until you've got your meeting with Warrick? I think we should try to keep the timeframe short to avoid any further messaging slip-ups.

Yours,

Carrie

[Velahor]

You see, you have to remember that while an evangelical Christian living by the word, Martha had a manipulative, strategic streak. As was natural, having to defend many, many corrupt clients. Covering up shady business was her specialty, and also, she knew that a backdoor deal could save the nation.

“If Richardson and Paulson both stay in, but stay weak, we will cruise to victory if you lock down his endorsement. Even better if we can get the President too. There has to be some way to lock down both of their endorsements, all at once, and soon. Can you imagine if we could have a rally, before the primaries, with Wolf and Wolf Jr. standing for Jonah Prendergast? It would practically guarantee you the presidency, without a doubt in my mind.”

"Oh, if only it were so easy." He shook his head. "The President's dying, Martha, he was barely all together in Texas. I don't think we'd be able to get him onto the stage without a forklift truck. But the key to his heart isn't Arnold Junior. It's not the First Lady. It's Lilyana."

“That’s the inherent issue, and why I didn’t bring her up. Unless she’s willing to overstep her role as RNC chair, she really can’t have that influence this early. And I want to get you his endorsement before he passes, so she needs to act early.”

She ducked her head and whispered.

“This might be a time where we need to take more extreme measures. What would it take to take her from the RNC chair and give her a position on the campaign? We need her and her father to support you, it opens this race wide open.”

[Titanne]

"I'd say Governor Prendergast."

"What's he offered you?" Frankston asked, putting his gun down and taking a seat.

"Well, nothing other than a cabinet post in the case that I lose my seat. He also promised to leave me room to break from the party, and promised rallies with him."

[Gordano and Lysandus]

"Oh, if only it were so easy." He shook his head. "The President's dying, Martha, he was barely all together in Texas. I don't think we'd be able to get him onto the stage without a forklift truck. But the key to his heart isn't Arnold Junior. It's not the First Lady. It's Lilyana."

“That’s the inherent issue, and why I didn’t bring her up. Unless she’s willing to overstep her role as RNC chair, she really can’t have that influence this early. And I want to get you his endorsement before he passes, so she needs to act early.”

She ducked her head and whispered.

“This might be a time where we need to take more extreme measures. What would it take to take her from the RNC chair and give her a position on the campaign? We need her and her father to support you, it opens this race wide open.”[/quote]

"She won't budge so long as she feels like she's the Queen, and she does right now. I don't think this is an option on the cards, sadly." He shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. "That damn family. They're bizarre, Martha, they're downright mental. But having spoken to Lilyana, I can tell you that she's an unhinged crank. She can't see past the tip of her own nose. And I have to put her in the Cabinet because the President made me promise."

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

(Image)
Martin Spellman
@thespellman

---

So a man getting his grenade launcher taken away deserves a protest but protesting racism and women’s rights was just too much for conservatives? Let me throw back one of your favorite lines at you all: What a bunch of snowflakes!

Rep. Kevin Villalobos @ElDiablo Don't get over yourself Mini Martin, leave the comebacks to someone with an actual chance of winning.

Martin Spellman
@thespellman

---

Here are some wise words to remember when all someone does are use superficial and false attacks...“When they go low, we go high.” Specifically five inches higher than them, not bad for being “mini”!

[The Orion Islands]

Senator Colbert picked up his office phone expecting the call. He saw the caller ID and knew instantly that it was the New Yorker. “Hello, Senator Colbert speaking. Is this Representative Simone?”

"It is. Good afternoon, Senator. How is the day treating you?"

Senator Colbert: “Fine. How are you?”

[Gordano and Lysandus]

FROM: [Representative Caroline Simone]
TO: [House Democrats]

Dear colleagues,

Be advised that the situations both with ongoing negotiations on Iran legislation and ensuring the passage of the gun bill in the Senate are very delicate right now, and with the whole news-storm around the Lebanon strike and the Allen affair in Texas, the situation couldn't be more febrile. With that said, the House leadership would be deeply grateful if people were to be careful about what they say in public and post on social media.

Yours,

Caroline Simone
US Representative for the 12th District of the State of New York
Chair of the House Democratic Caucus

[Sarenium]

"What's he offered you?" Frankston asked, putting his gun down and taking a seat.

"Well, nothing other than a cabinet post in the case that I lose my seat. He also promised to leave me room to break from the party, and promised rallies with him."

"Jonah Prendergast won't win Colorado and would probably be more of a drag than help, Richardson and Paulson might but Colorado of 2020 is a little different to Colorado of 2012 or 2014, you'll want to distinguish yourself from their brand very strongly, Coloradan Republican may help more," he replied, "endorsing now is also somewhat, dangerous shall we say. The race is so fluid you could pick a loser, or a winner who wins through division which does not sew well for you. Why endorse so early?"

[Gordano and Lysandus]

Senator Colbert: “Fine. How are you?”

"Oh, good. I'm good, sir. I wanted to follow up on your expressed reservations about the Nez Reapportionment Act on social media. It seems you're not opposed in principle but seem to have a concern regarding the census?"

[Titanne]

"Well, nothing other than a cabinet post in the case that I lose my seat. He also promised to leave me room to break from the party, and promised rallies with him."

"Jonah Prendergast won't win Colorado and would probably be more of a drag than help, Richardson and Paulson might but Colorado of 2020 is a little different to Colorado of 2012 or 2014, you'll want to distinguish yourself from their brand very strongly, Coloradan Republican may help more," he replied, "endorsing now is also somewhat, dangerous shall we say. The race is so fluid you could pick a loser, or a winner who wins through division which does not sew well for you. Why endorse so early?"

"Well, it's a gamble, but if I pick a winner early, it pays off on a big scale. Look, we both know my chances aren't good this year. I'm looking for a plan B."

He dryly coughed.

[Sarenium]

"Jonah Prendergast won't win Colorado and would probably be more of a drag than help, Richardson and Paulson might but Colorado of 2020 is a little different to Colorado of 2012 or 2014, you'll want to distinguish yourself from their brand very strongly, Coloradan Republican may help more," he replied, "endorsing now is also somewhat, dangerous shall we say. The race is so fluid you could pick a loser, or a winner who wins through division which does not sew well for you. Why endorse so early?"

"Well, it's a gamble, but if I pick a winner early, it pays off on a big scale. Look, we both know my chances aren't good this year. I'm looking for a plan B."

He dryly coughed.

"Perhaps, but I'd recommend waiting, let the candidates tear each other apart just a little more, none have been attacked as a frontrunner, and all should be," he recommended.

[Titanne]

"Well, it's a gamble, but if I pick a winner early, it pays off on a big scale. Look, we both know my chances aren't good this year. I'm looking for a plan B."

He dryly coughed.

"Perhaps, but I'd recommend waiting, let the candidates tear each other apart just a little more, none have been attacked as a frontrunner, and all should be," he recommended.

"Maybe you're right, but I have a gut feeling on this one."

Guerrera laughed.

"I'll look into it a bit more, maybe give Paulson a second look. But yeah."

[Velahor]

"Oh, if only it were so easy." He shook his head. "The President's dying, Martha, he was barely all together in Texas. I don't think we'd be able to get him onto the stage without a forklift truck. But the key to his heart isn't Arnold Junior. It's not the First Lady. It's Lilyana."

“That’s the inherent issue, and why I didn’t bring her up. Unless she’s willing to overstep her role as RNC chair, she really can’t have that influence this early. And I want to get you his endorsement before he passes, so she needs to act early.”

She ducked her head and whispered.

“This might be a time where we need to take more extreme measures. What would it take to take her from the RNC chair and give her a position on the campaign? We need her and her father to support you, it opens this race wide open.”

"She won't budge so long as she feels like she's the Queen, and she does right now. I don't think this is an option on the cards, sadly." He shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. "That damn family. They're bizarre, Martha, they're downright mental. But having spoken to Lilyana, I can tell you that she's an unhinged crank. She can't see past the tip of her own nose. And I have to put her in the Cabinet because the President made me promise."[/quote]

“They’re a strange bunch. New Englanders. Weird people,” she remarked. She had been instructed to not bring up her dislike for northerners in public, but she disliked the attitudes of those people.

“Arnie Wolf is a petulant child, and his insistence that you put his spoiled, inexperienced daughter in charge of a department of the government is proof that he’s not a leader, but a greedy man-child. Still, he’s done some really great things for Christians in this country, if at the expense of a bit of reputation on our part.”

She grinned, and then quipped in a joking tone, “of course, you could just nominate her for EPA and then slash it, but then you’d prove yourself the ‘evil coal baron,’ wouldn’t you?”

She let out a slight giggle. She enjoyed joking with him. When they were in good spirits, she frequently did so.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

“They’re a strange bunch. New Englanders. Weird people,” she remarked. She had been instructed to not bring up her dislike for northerners in public, but she disliked the attitudes of those people.

“Arnie Wolf is a petulant child, and his insistence that you put his spoiled, inexperienced daughter in charge of a department of the government is proof that he’s not a leader, but a greedy man-child. Still, he’s done some really great things for Christians in this country, if at the expense of a bit of reputation on our part.”

She grinned, and then quipped in a joking tone, “of course, you could just nominate her for EPA and then slash it, but then you’d prove yourself the ‘evil coal baron,’ wouldn’t you?”

She let out a slight giggle. She enjoyed joking with him. When they were in good spirits, she frequently did so.

He laughed, shaking his head. "If I hadn't already promised the EPA, along with Energy and Interior, to Michelle, that wouldn't be so bad an idea." He shook his head some more. "Dear me, no. Wolf wants me to put her in Commerce. Sure, she isn't going to break anything important there but Commerce? You'd think he'd have more aspiration for his daughter."

[Jovuistan]

(Image) Richard Slater @SenatorRSlater We should have a PROTEST in D.C. against the efforts by Democrats to suppress our 2A rights and the kidnapping of Mark Allen! WE MUST MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD!

(Image) Richard Slater @SenatorRSlater Constitutionalists should be organizing en masse to tell the Socialist Left that their tearing up of our Constitution WILL NOT STAND! I will for sure be joining in!

Liked and retweeted by @DianeForLiberty

To: Senator Richard Slater
From: Congresswoman Diane Paulson

Hello Senator,

I saw your tweet about having a protest to support the Second Amendment, protest the gun bill, and support Mr. Allen in his battle against this blatant government overreach. I agree that we should have a protest in DC, and have it be a big-tent, all Republicans of all types coming together to support this cause. Please reach out to me so I can be of any assistance possible in planning and organizing such an event.

Thank you,

Congresswoman Diane Paulson

FROM: Senator Richard Slater
TO: Congresswoman Diane Paulson

It's good news that you are on board with forming a protest against the despicable attempts to intrude on our rights, Representative. I hope to have all of the other candidates for President on board as well. Would you prefer to discuss organizing over the phone or in-person?

Sincerely,

Senator Richard Slater

[Velahor]

“They’re a strange bunch. New Englanders. Weird people,” she remarked. She had been instructed to not bring up her dislike for northerners in public, but she disliked the attitudes of those people.

“Arnie Wolf is a petulant child, and his insistence that you put his spoiled, inexperienced daughter in charge of a department of the government is proof that he’s not a leader, but a greedy man-child. Still, he’s done some really great things for Christians in this country, if at the expense of a bit of reputation on our part.”

She grinned, and then quipped in a joking tone, “of course, you could just nominate her for EPA and then slash it, but then you’d prove yourself the ‘evil coal baron,’ wouldn’t you?”

She let out a slight giggle. She enjoyed joking with him. When they were in good spirits, she frequently did so.

He laughed, shaking his head. "If I hadn't already promised the EPA, along with Energy and Interior, to Michelle, that wouldn't be so bad an idea." He shook his head some more. "Dear me, no. Wolf wants me to put her in Commerce. Sure, she isn't going to break anything important there but Commerce? You'd think he'd have more aspiration for his daughter."

“He knows her capability is limited, he just wants to buy his daughter the biggest gift he can get her. He’s that kind of dad, the money dad. I’m glad you gave our sons values and knowledge along with the money. And work ethic. That too.”

[Velahor]

Liked and retweeted by @DianeForLiberty

To: Senator Richard Slater
From: Congresswoman Diane Paulson

Hello Senator,

I saw your tweet about having a protest to support the Second Amendment, protest the gun bill, and support Mr. Allen in his battle against this blatant government overreach. I agree that we should have a protest in DC, and have it be a big-tent, all Republicans of all types coming together to support this cause. Please reach out to me so I can be of any assistance possible in planning and organizing such an event.

Thank you,

Congresswoman Diane Paulson

FROM: Senator Richard Slater
TO: Congresswoman Diane Paulson

It's good news that you are on board with forming a protest against the despicable attempts to intrude on our rights, Representative. I hope to have all of the other candidates for President on board as well. Would you prefer to discuss organizing over the phone or in-person?

Sincerely,

Senator Richard Slater

To: Senator Richard Slater
From: Congresswoman Diane Paulson

Hello Senator,

In-person would be great, thank you. My assistant will be reaching out to schedule an appointment.

Thank you,

Congresswoman Diane Paulson

[Rijkenlandd]

Rep. Kevin Villalobos @ElDiablo First Winston Cup race, March of '93. Man, how time flies by. #WayBackWednesday

[Democratic Peoples republic of Kelvinsi]

"The 2nd debate... Do you think you can win it?"

“Without a doubt, I know that I can win. If you look at the field, who stands out? It’s me. I got a ton of name recognition from the first debate, which was my strategy. Now, enough eyes are on me that I can simply lay out my policies and fend off Richardson’s attacks, and that will be enough to constitute a win.”

“In my eyes, I won the first debate, and if Porter hadn’t had such dismally-low expectations, the media would have seen it that way too.”

“The first debate was to get people’s attention for the big statement that the second debate will make.”

“Look the reason I am worried about endorsing is... um is that let us be honest here you do well in West Coast and Northeast and get slaughtered in the South and Rust Belt. I want you to prove that you can unify not just folks like me and Theo and our constituents. But folks like the Baharia-Wolf voters.”

[Gordano and Lysandus]

“He knows her capability is limited, he just wants to buy his daughter the biggest gift he can get her. He’s that kind of dad, the money dad. I’m glad you gave our sons values and knowledge along with the money. And work ethic. That too.”

"Oh yes, they'll be the finest evil coal barons ever raised." He rolled his eyes. "Quite why Porter is attacking me from the left is beyond me. Man's obviously not a Democrat. Frankly, he comes off as a full on Stalinist. Last time we let one of those run amok, Kennedy got shot."

[Jovuistan]

PAULSON'S OFFICE, WASHINGTON D.C.
RICHARD SLATER

Senator Slater breathed a heavy sigh as he stood in wait. He was well aware that this could be a big moment in the early Presidential race if it gained traction, and it would surely put him in the spotlight. It made him rather excited, actually. In his mind, this was his chance to make a substantial impact on the political discourse of the moment, and he would take it no questions asked. Guided by an intern, he politely knocked on Rep. Paulson's office door, remembering for a brief moment the Brown incident as he did so.

[Velahor]

“Without a doubt, I know that I can win. If you look at the field, who stands out? It’s me. I got a ton of name recognition from the first debate, which was my strategy. Now, enough eyes are on me that I can simply lay out my policies and fend off Richardson’s attacks, and that will be enough to constitute a win.”

“In my eyes, I won the first debate, and if Porter hadn’t had such dismally-low expectations, the media would have seen it that way too.”

“The first debate was to get people’s attention for the big statement that the second debate will make.”

“Look the reason I am worried about endorsing is... um is that let us be honest here you do well in West Coast and Northeast and get slaughtered in the South and Rust Belt. I want you to prove that you can unify not just folks like me and Theo and our constituents. But folks like the Baharia-Wolf voters.”

“I’m pretty strong in the inland west too, I think my chances in Nevada are better than expected and good in most of the Rockies, even Utah.”

“For the South, it’s going to be a battle. I think I can work out a lot of close second and third places to fill in the gaps in states I can’t outright win. But there’s a path to victory in Florida, and a path to victory in Texas too. I’ve been in talks for a long time with Senator Frankston, and I think he’s leaning toward endorsing me pretty soon.”

“And in the Rust Belt, my strength with farmers and the suburban vote will help in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, states like that, to offset some of that Baharia-Wolf voter strength.”

“But again, you mentioned Baharia-Wolf voters. The big thing they want is change and economic recovery. They haven’t really gotten that in full. If the economy stumbles at all soon, it helps prove my point about trade. But even if it doesn’t, the stagnation in salaries and promise of better income helps. I’ve also considered demonizing automation in place of immigrants, and then saying that the solution in the corporate tax changes that my plan puts in place. We need to create a new villain for them to blame their struggle on, and right now, I think that villain will be socialism and maybe automation.”

[Velahor]

“He knows her capability is limited, he just wants to buy his daughter the biggest gift he can get her. He’s that kind of dad, the money dad. I’m glad you gave our sons values and knowledge along with the money. And work ethic. That too.”

"Oh yes, they'll be the finest evil coal barons ever raised." He rolled his eyes. "Quite why Porter is attacking me from the left is beyond me. Man's obviously not a Democrat. Frankly, he comes off as a full on Stalinist. Last time we let one of those run amok, Kennedy got shot."

“He sees opportunity. He’s looking for power. Look at Russ Long in Louisiana. The Longs have stayed in power for a century, because they abuse the word by twisting it to support bribing the constituents. That’s what Porter is trying to do too. These people see him as everything good and vulgar about Wolf, but Porter will also give them free money.”

“He’s got some book of Revelation vibes that I really can’t shake. We need to do something about him. Do you know anyone whose worked with Porter?”